seneschal

English

Wikipedia

Etymology

From Middle English seneschal (recorded in English since 1393), from Old French seneschal, from Medieval Latin (Frankish) siniscalcus, from Proto-Germanic *sini- (“senior”) + Proto-Germanic *skalk (“servant”); latter term as in marshal. Compare French sénéchal.

Noun

seneschal (plural seneschals)

1. A steward in charge of a medieval nobleman's estate.

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Anglo-Norman

Noun

seneschal m. (oblique plural seneschaus, nominative singular seneschaus, nominative plural seneschal)

1. seneschal

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Old French

Noun

seneschal m. (oblique plural seneschaus, nominative singular seneschaus, nominative plural seneschal)

1. seneschal
   • circa 1170, Chrétien de Troyes, Érec et Énide:

     "Oïl, mout m'an sovient il bien.
     Seneschaus, savez vos an rien?

     Yes, I remember it well

     Senschal, do you know anything about it?